Green Set to Return as Australia Eye Series Sweep Against Zimbabwe

Australia will look to complete a 3-0 ODI series sweep against Zimbabwe on Sunday, with Cameron Green in line to return after missing the opening two matches with a shoulder niggle.

Australia have dominated the series so far and produced an emphatic performance in the second ODI, overcoming the absence of injured fast bowler Billy Stanlake to secure a comfortable victory.

The Australians were particularly impressive with the bat, with Travis Head ending a relatively lean run in spectacular fashion. The opener smashed a 75-ball century, reaffirming his role as an aggressive force at the top of the order.

Head said his approach will continue to involve taking risks and putting pressure on opposition bowlers.

"My role in the team is to be aggressive at the top. I'm not always going to go out and be as consistent as I would love to be. I want to put bowlers under pressure."

There were also encouraging performances from Australia's emerging players. Cooper Connolly recorded his third consecutive score of more than 50, becoming the youngest Australian men's player to achieve the feat in ODIs. Ollie Peake also impressed with a powerful late-innings contribution, further underlining his potential.

With the ODI World Cup a major focus for Australia, the series has also provided valuable preparation ahead of next month's Test series against South Africa. Josh Hazlewood has continued the strong form he showed against Bangladesh, while Australia's depth has been tested by Stanlake's injury.

Zimbabwe Searching for a Response

Zimbabwe showed plenty of resistance in the second ODI but struggled to keep pace with Australia's batting dominance.

Their top order repeatedly made starts without converting them into substantial scores. Seven of their top eight batters reached at least 23, but Sikandar Raza's 45 was the highest individual score.

Zimbabwe eventually posted 272, becoming only the fourth ODI team to make a total above 270 without a batter scoring a half-century.

The hosts will hope to avoid another series whitewash. When Zimbabwe last toured Australia four years ago, they lost the first two ODIs before producing a surprise victory in the final match.

Bennett Under Pressure to Convert Starts

Brian Bennett will be one of Zimbabwe's key players heading into the final ODI. Since his outstanding 169 against Ireland in February 2025, Bennett has struggled to produce a major score in the format.

He has made starts of 25 and 23 during this series but has failed to build a substantial innings. His strike rate is also only slightly above 70, while opening partner Ben Curran is scoring at 62.50, highlighting Zimbabwe's difficulty in maintaining an aggressive tempo at the top of the order.

Inglis Closing in on ODI Milestone

Josh Inglis has also endured a quiet series, although Australia's management continues to view him as an important part of their batting plans for the next World Cup.

Inglis was preferred ahead of Alex Carey during Australia's 2023 World Cup campaign after playing just one match. In this series, however, he has yet to make a significant contribution, falling to impressive catches in both matches.

The wicketkeeper-batter is nevertheless only six runs away from reaching 1,000 ODI runs.

Green Expected to Return

Australia are expected to bring Cameron Green back into the XI after he missed the first two games because of a shoulder issue.

If Green returns, Alex Carey could make way after Ollie Peake's impressive performances in the middle and lower order.

Billy Stanlake's tour also appears to be over after he left the field just two balls into his fifth over in the second ODI. Australia could use the final match to give Spencer Johnson another opportunity.

Probable Australia XI

Mitchell Marsh (captain), Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Ollie Peake, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Josh Hazlewood, Spencer Johnson.

Probable Zimbabwe XI

Brian Bennett, Ben Curran, Innocent Kaia, Brendan Taylor (wicketkeeper), Craig Ervine, Sikandar Raza (captain), Wessly Madhevere, Brad Evans, Newman Nyamburi, Wellington Masakadza, Blessing Muzarabani.

Pitch Expected to Offer More Runs

The second ODI pitch appeared more conducive to free-flowing batting than the surface used in the opening match.

There has been some early movement for the fast bowlers in both games, although the conditions have not been as challenging as the early starts might have suggested. Spinners have also found assistance at different stages.

The final match could therefore provide another opportunity for Australia's batters to build confidence while Zimbabwe seek improvements with both bat and ball.

Key Stats

• Josh Inglis needs six runs to reach 1,000 ODI runs.

• Brendan Taylor needs 40 runs to overtake Andy Flower as Zimbabwe's leading ODI run-scorer.

• Josh Hazlewood moved ahead of Pat Cummins in Australia's ODI wicket tally, reaching 144 wickets compared with Cummins' 143.

• Cooper Connolly has recorded three consecutive ODI scores above 50.